running after c section

I saw a physio today, 4 weeks pp, to get advice on getting back to full fitness. I had an emergency c section and the incision has almost healed but obviously I'll wait for he last but to knit back together. They advised not to do any impact exercise including running till 6 months pp. that is a lot more conservative than I was hoping. I am happy to come back slowly and make sure I do it properly, but does it really need to be that slow? I ran right through pregnancy, literally till my waters broke, without any problems. I've started doing core strength exercises she prescribed and have been walking at least a couple of miles each day. Once a week I go to a 5k race which I've been brickly walking for the past two weeks taking about 50 mins. I'm going to see another physio in January to get a second opinion but would be interested in what people here think and have been told.

I saw a physio today, 4 weeks pp, to get advice on getting back to full fitness. I had an emergency c section and the incision has almost healed but obviously I'll wait for he last but to knit back together. They advised not to do any impact exercise including running till 6 months pp. that is a lot more conservative than I was hoping. I am happy to come back slowly and make sure I do it properly, but does it really need to be that slow? I ran right through pregnancy, literally till my waters broke, without any problems. I've started doing core strength exercises she prescribed and have been walking at least a couple of miles each day. Once a week I go to a 5k race which I've been brickly walking for the past two weeks taking about 50 mins. I'm going to see another physio in January to get a second opinion but would be interested in what people here think and have been told.

That sounds about right I had an emergency section too and had to wait till 9 months pp to really run it takes longer for insides to heal all the way just because the outside is all good doesn't mean everything else is.

That sounds about right I had an emergency section too and had to wait till 9 months pp to really run it takes longer for insides to heal all the way just because the outside is all good doesn't mean everything else is.

I had an emergency section and have been dying to surf again!!!! I thought for sure my doc would clear me at 6 wks. I went yesterday and she said I have to wait 3 months! She said that it's not something I should mess with :) it would be really bad to have a setback and end up waiting even longer.

I had an emergency section and have been dying to surf again!!!! I thought for sure my doc would clear me at 6 wks. I went yesterday and she said I have to wait 3 months! She said that it's not something I should mess with :) it would be really bad to have a setback and end up waiting even longer.

Depressing but thanks! She was implying that it wasn't a problem with healing from the c section which would be done in the next couple of weeks, but pelvic floor issues. Obviously I don't want to end up incontinent but I'm going to struggle with convincing myself of the long term benefits of not running. Guess ill have to take up power walking! Hope your recoveries are going well .x

Depressing but thanks! She was implying that it wasn't a problem with healing from the c section which would be done in the next couple of weeks, but pelvic floor issues. Obviously I don't want to end up incontinent but I'm going to struggle with convincing myself of the long term benefits of not running. Guess ill have to take up power walking! Hope your recoveries are going well .x

My physio said 6 months as well, but dr cleared me at 6 weeks to go back to gym - but just low impact stuff (no step class) like the bike. I did a body pump class yesterday and I've now started bleeding today after it had stopped for about a week. The physio said the 6 month rule was not really about the c-section it was more to do with just being pregnant as your body's joints relax during preg and childbirth. It really does feel a bit over cautious.

My physio said 6 months as well, but dr cleared me at 6 weeks to go back to gym - but just low impact stuff (no step class) like the bike. I did a body pump class yesterday and I've now started bleeding today after it had stopped for about a week. The physio said the 6 month rule was not really about the c-section it was more to do with just being pregnant as your body's joints relax during preg and childbirth. It really does feel a bit over cautious.

Interesting. I started around 8 weeks after my planned C (breech) and ran a marathon at 9 months PP (started the training around 5 months with lighter running before that). I'd consider getting a second opinion.

Interesting. I started around 8 weeks after my planned C (breech) and ran a marathon at 9 months PP (started the training around 5 months with lighter running before that). I'd consider getting a second opinion.

wow. I had a scheduled cs and began walking 4wks pp and cleared for lowinpact at 6wks. I ran a marathon 9 months post c-section without problems. everyone is different. I am sure you are frusterated but you WILL get moving again! good luck!

wow. I had a scheduled cs and began walking 4wks pp and cleared for lowinpact at 6wks. I ran a marathon 9 months post c-section without problems. everyone is different. I am sure you are frusterated but you WILL get moving again! good luck!

I wish u could fine a physio who really has expertise - 6 months seams to be a text book answer which doesn't take into account what you were doing before. I was already entered for a half marathon in April which I think I can walk inside the 3.5 hour cut off. I guess I'll do that then celebrate with a run :-)Reassuring to know you girls have done marathons a 9 months pp. I might need to enter next years Dublin for a bit if motivation :-)

I wish u could fine a physio who really has expertise - 6 months seams to be a text book answer which doesn't take into account what you were doing before. I was already entered for a half marathon in April which I think I can walk inside the 3.5 hour cut off. I guess I'll do that then celebrate with a run :-)Reassuring to know you girls have done marathons a 9 months pp. I might need to enter next years Dublin for a bit if motivation :-)

My ob said ok at 6 weeks but if something feels "off" or any pain twinges pull back a couple of weeks. I'm nervous now because I signed up for a Pilates class tomorrow (my first) but I'm only 4.5 months pp. I'm so tired of this gross belly!!!

My ob said ok at 6 weeks but if something feels "off" or any pain twinges pull back a couple of weeks. I'm nervous now because I signed up for a Pilates class tomorrow (my first) but I'm only 4.5 months pp. I'm so tired of this gross belly!!!

It takes six months for the ligaments to go back to their pregnancy density and strength, that's why she gave you that advisement. External stitches, which have a direct blood flow, heal in 4 to 6 weeks. Internal stitches, between your muscle fascia, not the muscles themselves, have an indirect blood flow and have a heal time of 12 weeks or so.

Athletes have much stronger, denser, ligaments than "regular" active women, denser stronger muscles (which also provide some joint stabilization) and much better neuro-muscular coordination. All of these factor make it possible to safely return to competition/high intensity training much sooner than the general advisement for postpartum women.

I think it makes sense for you to wait until you're about 12 weeks post C, before doing high impact. In the mean time, elliptical and stationary bike are safe for cardio training.

BeFit-Mom

It takes six months for the ligaments to go back to their pregnancy density and strength, that's why she gave you that advisement. External stitches, which have a direct blood flow, heal in 4 to 6 weeks. Internal stitches, between your muscle fascia, not the muscles themselves, have an indirect blood flow and have a heal time of 12 weeks or so.

Athletes have much stronger, denser, ligaments than "regular" active women, denser stronger muscles (which also provide some joint stabilization) and much better neuro-muscular coordination. All of these factor make it possible to safely return to competition/high intensity training much sooner than the general advisement for postpartum women.

I think it makes sense for you to wait until you're about 12 weeks post C, before doing high impact. In the mean time, elliptical and stationary bike are safe for cardio training.

Thanks Befitmom :-)My labour stopped just as I should have been pushing and certainly my pelvic floor doesn't feel any different. The unfair about internal stitches is really useful, I can certainly wait till 12 weeks till running and ill be doing core exercises and getting on the bike :-)

Thanks Befitmom :-)My labour stopped just as I should have been pushing and certainly my pelvic floor doesn't feel any different. The unfair about internal stitches is really useful, I can certainly wait till 12 weeks till running and ill be doing core exercises and getting on the bike :-)

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